What is Brushing your Teeth?

Brushing is the most common way of removing bacteria and plaque that coat the teeth. It stimulates the gums and keeps them healthy. Brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft bristled brush and a dentist recommended fluoride toothpaste is a common routine that everyone follows.

How to Brush correctly?

Toothbrushes need to have soft bristles and in a shape and size that effectively reaches all areas in your mouth. The brush should be moved up-down, back, and forth in short strokes. It is important to clean the front and back surfaces of the teeth. Brushes should be replaced every 2 months or earlier if the bristles become rough and worn-out.

What is Dental Flossing?

A dental floss is a soft thread comprising of thin filaments which are used to eliminate food particles and plaque stuck in between the teeth and in areas where a toothbrush cannot reach. Thus, effectively protecting the teeth and gums from decay.

How to Floss?

A comfortable length of your floss cord must be wound around the middle fingers and held firmly. The cord should be curved and slid gently up-and-down your teeth and below the gum tissues to remove plaque. Always use the cleaner sections of the floss as you proceed from tooth-to-tooth.

There are some great alternatives to dental floss. The most common ones are water flossing and air flossing. I am not a big fan of the latter one, but oral irrigators can be great for removing extra plaque. Plus, they are fun to use.

Relevance of Brushing and Flossing for Dental Hygiene:

Brushing and flossing are two important parts of dental care routine. Healthy teeth and gums are important for a fresh breath, good smile, and overall health. For a proper dental hygiene, brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing regularly if not once a day is very important.

The relevance of brushing and flossing to your dental daily routine is to eliminate plaque and reduce the building up of destructive bacteria, which cause cavities and eventually tooth decay.

Brushing vs Flossing for Dental Health:

There isn’t an either/ or option for brushing and flossing. Both are equally important routines that must be followed meticulously and necessary for good oral health. Most people do follow the brushing routine. However, dentists recommend flossing regularly, at least once a day to avoid dental problems.

Brushing removes bacteria from the front and back surfaces of the teeth. There are places like the thin spaces between the teeth and below the gums, or the sides where a toothbrush cannot effectively reach. This is where flossing helps, because it removes plaque from such places too. And thus, effectively cleans the teeth and activates the gums. When ignored, these difficult-to-reach spots are where the bacteria multiply and cause several problems like gum diseases, tooth cavities and decay.

Overall, it is highly recommended to follow both the techniques of brushing and flossing regularly to avoid oral health problems and prevent tooth decay. These are simple techniques and it is best to follow the correct techniques for effective brushing and flossing to have a shiny, bright smile and a good dental hygiene.